Poll: Only 28% Still Believe in ‘Palestinian Partner’

Only 28.2% of Israelis think Israel has someone to negotiate with. 75% see Netanyahu winning the elections.

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Maayana Miskin, 14/12/12 11:34

Mahmoud Abbas

Israel news photo: Flash 90

Only 28.2% of Israelis believe that Israel has a partner for peace in negotiations with the Palestinians, according to a new survey conducted by Gal Hadash for Yisrael Hayom. 62.4% say there is no partner for peace.

The Arab population of Judea, Samaria and Gaza is currently politically split. Those in Gaza are ruled by Hamas, which rejects Israel’s existence and calls to destroy the Jewish state.

The Fatah-led Palestinian Authority headed by Mahmoud Abbas has control in Judea and Samaria. Abbas’ term in office expired in 2010, but the PA has declined to hold new elections prior to reconciliation with Hamas.

The Gal Hadash survey also found that 75.3% of Israelis believe Likud Beyteinu, led by Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, will win the upcoming national elections and form the next government. Just 9.2% of respondents said they believe the Labor party will lead the next administration.

Netanyahu had the most support among respondents, with 40.7% naming him as their preferred candidate for Prime Minister. Tzipi Livni was in second place with 13.1% support, while the Labor party’s Shelly Yechimovich came in third with 7.6% support.

Those polled were also asked for their opinion regarding ongoing attempts to disqualify MK Hanin Zoabi from the Knesset race. 55.2% said they support the effort, while 29.1% said Zoabi should be left alone.